Ask the Author: Joey Willis
Answered Questions (5)
Joey Willis
I traveled the world in 2013 and was fascinated by different cultures. More than that, I was completely changed by them. Seeing the world beyond what I had known challenged my conceptions and rearranged my identity. The Mountains is a story just like that. It started with a sermon I heard on the book of Micah, where he struggles to find a worthy sacrifice. And it made me think, 'what do I have that is most valuable' and what would it mean to give that up.
I was challenged to write a short story while I was traveling (I was in Ukraine at the time). The Mountains was started there. When I got home in 2014, I decided to expand the short story into a novel.
I was challenged to write a short story while I was traveling (I was in Ukraine at the time). The Mountains was started there. When I got home in 2014, I decided to expand the short story into a novel.
Joey Willis
I get inspired by lots of things, maybe everything. Life inspires me. Real people and what they say and do are so fascinating. The Bible inspires me; there are so many stories in there and so many truths that are great inspiration for original content. One of the best things about being a writer is that it forces you to pay attention, to look hard and see the world around you for what it really is - a treasure trove characters and characteristics, stories and storytellers, tragedy and joy. Also, writing inspires my writing. Sometimes an idea sprouts into my head as I am writing something else. It is a little like writing activates that section of my brain and one thing can lead to another.
Joey Willis
I've got two projects. "The Beyond" is a set of serials. It is about an afterlife community trying to figure out where they are and why. It has already been picked up for publication and will be out in the Fall. Second, I'm working on a novel, ironically titled "The Novel", which is about a very successful novelists who feels that his work has been fluff and sets out to write something of substance, struggling with his demons and insecurities along the way.
Joey Willis
Just write. Figure it out. Learn. Grow. But just do it. For me, advice set up these expectations for how it should be and what I should be doing. But if you are a writer, it is in you. Most of the things I might say could help someone write more like me. But that's not helpful to anyone but me. If you're a writer, it is already in you. Find it and explore it. Stop worrying about whether or not it is liked and just worry about whether or not it is.
Joey Willis
Just writing. I know, I know - brilliant answer. But for me, writing is its own reward. Have you ever experienced something that makes you think, yes, this is me, I feel good here, at peace doing this, this is me? Well, that is how I feel when I write. So, feeling like my whole self is the best part about being a writer.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more